Non-refillable pouring spout



Nov. 13, 1962 R. J. MUSEL 3,063,589

NON-REFILLABLE POURING SPOUT Filed Sept. 18, 1961 FIG].

INVENTOR. ROBERT J. MUSEL ATTYS United States Patent Oflflce 3,963,589 Patented Nov. 13, 1962 3,063,589 NON-REFILLABLE POURING SI'QUT Robert J. Musel, Linwood, N.J., assignor to Wheaton Plastics (10., Inc, Mays Landing, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 138,896 8 Claims. (Cl. 215-21) The present invention relates generally-to pouring spouts for glass or plastic bottles and more particularly to a pouring spout of the type adapted for permanent attachment which includes a ball check valve and air inlet arrangement permitting the dispensing of fluids while preventing a reverse fluid flow.

A serious problem particularly in the liquor trade has been the adulteration of bottled stocks by unscrupulous retailers such as bartenders to increase profits at the expense of unsuspecting consumers by diluting the legitimate contents of brand name bottles. Similar unfair and illegal practices are apt to occur in any trade in which unsealed bottled stocks are dispensed. It is primarily to curb such practices that the present invention has been developed.

The solution to the problem provides an inexpensive spout through which a bottle cannot be refilled without doing permanent damage to the spout. Such damage can be easily detected by inspection, and the threat of being caught with a damaged bottle would be an effective deterrent against refilling attempts.

Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a non-refillable pouring spout for dispensing bottled liquids.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a non-refillable pouring spout adapted for permanent attachment to a bottle such that removal cannot be accomplished without damaging the spout.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nonrefillable pouring spout having a neat, attractive appearance which can be economically manufactured.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a bottle neck partly cut away showing an embodiment of the invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the open end of a bottle neck adapted for attachment of the non-refillable spout;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view showing the specific structure of the spout and its manner of attachment to a bottle;

FIG. 4 is a view partly in section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a modified spout portion.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a bottle it} having a non-refillable spout generally designated 12 mounted thereon. The spot in the embodiment shown in the drawings consists of an inner body 14, an outer body 16, a valve ball 13, and a cap 20.

The inner body 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 includes an outer cylindrical portion 24 sized to fit snugly within the neck 22 of the bottle 10. A corrugated flange 26 engages the top edge of the bottle neck to position the inner body within the bottle, the corrugations providing a flexible sealing surface for engagement with the outer body 16. The outer cylindrical portion 24 terminates downwardly in a radial face 28.

An inner cylindrical portion 30 extends upwardly from the face 28 coaxial with the outer cylindrical portion 24. An opening 32 is provided in the face 28 and is aligned with a conical valve seat 34 of the inner cylindrical portion 30.

A vent tube 36 extends downwardly into the bottle neck and terminates in a closed lower end 38 having a vent opening 40 therein. The vent tube 36 provides a tubular passage extending through the face 28.

The outer body 16 is characterized by a substantially cylindrical retaining portion 42 which includes internal retamlng rings 44 as well as the longitudinal curved notch arrangement 46 around its lower edge as shown in FIG. 4. At its upper edge, the retaining portion 42 terminates in an inwardly ofl'set smaller diameter neck 48 which is externally threaded to receive the cap 20. The neck 43 extends upwardly and merges into a conical region 50 which has spaced vent openings 52 extending vertically therethrough.

The conical region adjoins the concentric pouring spout 54 which includes a downwardly extending cylindrical tube 56 of an external diameter adapted to fit in sealing relationship within the inner cylindrical portion 30 of the inner body 14. The cylindrical tube 56 terminates with a series of spaced longitudinally extending pointed arms 58 which form an upper valve seat.

The valve ball 18 is of a size permitting free movement within the inner cylindrical portion 3t} and which will seat in fluid sealing relation with the conical valve seat 34.

The cap 20 includes an internally threaded bore 60 adapted for screw engagement with the neck 48. A sealing surface 62 coacts with the pouring spout 54 to effect a primary fluid seal when the cap is screwed dOWn on the neck. A secondary seal is provided by the annular boss 64 which engages the conical region 50 and seals the vent opening 52. A shoulder 66 of the cap engages a corresponding shoulder 68 of the outer body to provide a tertiary cap seal.

A bottle neck 22 suitable for attachment of the spout is shown in FIG. 2 and includes a slightly tapered ringed portion 70 having annular retaining rings 72. The rings 72 are of a wedge shape on their upper edges to facilitate attachment but hinder removal of an attached spout. Spaced vertical lands 74 are provided below the rings 72 to interengage the notch arrangement 46 of the outer body 16.

For operation, the inner body 14 is inserted in the neck of a filled bottle and the valve ball 18 is dropped into place on the valve seat 34. The outer body 16 is then placed over the inner body such that the pouring spout 54 is inserted within the cylindrical portion 36. The outer body is pressed downwardly until the retaining rings 44 have passed over and been engaged by the corresponding retaining rings 72 and the bottle neck. The wedge shape of the rings 72 allows the outer body to be forced down over the rings but once located prevents its removal. The vertical lands 74 engage the notch arrangement 46 and serve to prevent rotation of the outer body. To complete the assembly, the cap 20 is screwed into place. With the assembled pouring spout properly attached, the bottle is now sealed in an airtight manner and may be stored or transported in this state.

An alternate method of assemblyand attachment which might prove more suitable for commercial applications would be to assemble the inner body, ball, outer body, and cap before attachment to a bottle neck, thus permitting a single step installation operation on the filled bottle.

For pouring, the cap 20 is removed and the bottle inverted. The valve ball 18 leaves the valve seat 34 and comes to rest against the arms 58 which comprise an upper valve seat. The opening 32 is then opened for passage of fluid from the bottle and such fluid is free to continue past the ball between the spaced arms 58 and is poured out through the spout 54.

To permit smooth pouring of a fluid through the spout 54, air inlet means other than the spout itself are proyided in the form of vent openingsSZ which permit entry of air into the bottle through the vent tube 36 and the vent opening 38. Such an introduction of air into the bottle at a point remote from the pouring flow provides a relatively smooth fluid flow uninterrupted by entering air pockets.

The vent tube is preferably of the longest permissible length. For practical reasons the tbe should be as short as possible in length and still permit satisfactory fluid flow. It is important that the diameter of the tube and the size of the opening 40 be carefully chosen. Upon inversion of the bottle fluid will initially flow into the vent tube through the opening. However, if the tube and opening are properly sized, a pressure diflerential between the atmosphere and air in the inverted bottle above the fluid will force the fluid from the tube and continue to provide air to the bottle to replace the poured fluid.

When the botle is reinverted to its normal upright position, the valve ball returns to the conical valve seat 34 and effectively seals the contents of the bottle from the entry of other fluids. Replacement of the cap seals the spout and the vent openings 52 and prevents dust and foreign matter from entering the air passages.

FIG. 5 shows a modified outer body 76 which is similar to that shown in FIG. 3 but includes a floor '78 attached to the lower ends of arbs 80. The floor does not alter the operation of the spout, but does provide an additional safeguard to prevent tampering with the spout mechanism.

Although a variety of materials could be used in the manufacture of the described spout assembly, a relatively soft plastic material is suggested for the inner body 14, while a more rigid material should be used for the outer body and valve ball. As an example of materials which have been successfully used, an inner body of regular polyethylene, an outer body of linear polyethylene, a polystyrene valve ball, and a polypropylene cap have given excellent results. portant that the outer body he formed of a rigid substantially non-stretchable material so that any tampering with the spout such as attempts to remove the outer body will result in rupture or tearing of the material which can be detected by inspection. To insure a tighter engagement of the outer body on the neck of the bottle, plastics may be used for this element of the type which contracts when heated, heat being applied to the remaining portion 42 following its attachment to the bottle neck.

Attempts to refill a bottle equipped with the present device by introducing a fluid into the pouring spout 54 cannot be successful because of the ball check valve which seals the bottle from the entry of such fluids. Removal of the entire spout assembly to add fluids directly to a bottle will result in a damaged outer body portion which is subject to detection. The spout thus carries out its primary purpose which is to discourage illegal refilling of dispensing bottles. In addition, a simple, attractive pouring spout is provided which can be cheaply manufactured from synthetic materials.

Manifestly minor changes in details of construction can be eflected by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined and limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A non-refillable pouring spout for attachment to a pre-filled dispensing bottle comprising an inner body adapted for insertion in sealing relation within a bottle neck, a radial face of said inner body extending across the bottle neck, an inner cylindrical portion of said inner body extending upwardly from said face, a ball check valve arrangement within said inner cylindrical portion,

It is particularly imsaid inner cylindrical portion defining a passage extending through an opening in said face, and a vent tube extending below said face and defining a passage extending through said face, an outer body having means for securing and sealing said inner body within the bottle neck and having a vent opening therein, said outer body having a cylindrical retaining portion adapted to overlie the outer surface of a bottle neck, at least one annular interior retaining ring on said retaining portion, and a plurality of curved notches disposed about the lower edges of said retaining portion adapted to engage one or more lands on the bottle neck, whereby assembly of said inner and outer bodies provides a non-refillable pouring spout, said ball check valve permitting a fluid flow only outward from the botle, and vent means in said bodies permitting an introduction of air into the bottle during pouring of fluid therefrom.

2. A non-refillable pouring spout for attachment to a pre-filled dispensing bottle comprising an inner body having an outer cylindrical portion adapted for insertion in sealing relation into a bottle neck, said outer cylindrical portion terminating downwardly in a radial face, an inner cylindrical portion extending upwardly from said face, an annular valve seat within said inner cylindrical portion, said inner cylindrical portion defining a passage extending through an opening in said face, and a vent tube extending below said face and defining a passage extending through said face, an outer body having a cylindrical retaining portion adapted to overlie the outer surface of a bottle neck, at least one annular interior retaining ring on said retaining portion, a plurality of curved notches disposed about the lower edge of said retaining portion adapted to engage one or more lands on the bottle neck, an inwardly offset neck joined to said retaining portion at its upper edge, said neck merging into a conical region having at least one vent opening extending therethrough, said conical region extending to a pouring spout having a downwardly extending cylindrical tube of an external diameter adapted to fit in sealing relationship within said inner body inner cylindrical portion, one or more pointed arms extending longitudinally beneath said cylindrical tube forming an upper valve seat, and a valve ball adapted to seat on said inner body annular valve seat, whereby assembly of said inner and outer bodies on a bottle neck with said valve ball disposed within said inner body inner cylindrical portion provides a non-refillable pouring spout in which said valve ball seated on said valve seat prevents fluid entry into the bottle, inversion of the bottle causing said valve ball to move from said valve seat to the upper valve seat formed by one or more pointed arms, a fluid passage from the bottle thus being formed through said inner body inner cylindrical portion, around said valve ball, between said one or more pointed arms, and through said outer body pouring spout, said outer body vent opening and inner body vent tube permitting air entry into the bottle allowing smooth fluid dispensing flow.

3. A non-refillable pouring spout as claimed in claim 2, said inner body outer cylindrical portion including a corrugated annular flange adapted to engage the top edge of the bottle neck to position and seal the inner body within the bottle.

4. A non-refillable pouring spout as claimed in claim 3, said outer body cylindrical tube one or more pointed arms terminating downwardly in a floor which provides a safeguard to prevent tampering with the valve.

5. A non-refillable pouring spout as claimed in claim 4, said outer body inwardly ofiset neck having external threads thereon, and a cap adapted to engage said threaded neck, said cap including sealing means for engaging said outer body to provide a sealed dispensing container.

6. A non-refillable pouring spout as claimed in claim 5, said outer body neck having an annular sealing shoulder at its upper edge, said cap sealing means including sealing surfaces for engaging said outer body pouring spout, conical region, and neck sealing shoulder.

7. In a non-refillable pouring spout attachment for a pre-filled dispensing bottle, the combination comprising a bottle having an annular neck portion, at least one retaining ring on said neck portion, at least one vertical land on said annular neck portion below said retaining ring, an inner body having a flanged outer cylindrical portion adapted for insertion in sealing relation into said bottle neck, said outer cylindrical portion terminating downwardly in a radial face, an inner cylindrical portion extending upwardly from said face, an annular valve seat within said inner cylindrical portion, said inner cylindrical portion defining a passage extending through an opening in said face, and a vent tube extending below said face defining a passage extending through said face, an outer body having a cylindrical retaining portion adapted to overlie said bottle neck, at least one annular interior retaining ring on said retaining portion adapted to engage said retaining ring on said bottle neck, a plurality of curved notches disposed about the lower edge of said retaining portion adapted to engage said land on said bottle neck, an inwardly offset externally threaded neck joined to said retaining portion at its upper edge, said neck having a sealing shoulder at its upper edge, said neck merging into a conical region having at least one vent opening extending therethrough, said conical region extending to a pouring spout having a downwardly extending cylindrical tube of an external diameter adapted to fit in sealing relationship within said inner body inner cylindrical portion, one or more pointed arms extending longitudinally beneath said cylindrical tube forming an upper valve seat, a valve ball adapted to seat on said inner body annular valve seat, and a cap having an interiorly threaded portion adapted to engage said outer body threaded neck and having sealing surfaces for engaging said outer body pouring spout, conical region and neck sealing shoulder, whereby assembly of said inner and outer bodies on said bottle neck with said valve ball disposed within said inner body inner cylindrical portion provides a non-refillable pouring spout in which said valve ball seated on said valve seat prevents fluid entry into the bottle, inversion of the bottle causing said valve to move from said valve seat to the upper valve seat formed by the one or more pointed arms, a fluid passage from said bottle thus being formed through said inner body inner cylindrical portion, around said valve ball, between said one or more pointed arms, and through said outer body pouring spout, said outer body vent opening and inner body vent tube permitting air entry into said bottle allowing smooth fluid dispensing flow, re-inversion of said bottle and threaded attachment of said cap to said outer body providing a sealed dispensing container.

8. A non-refillable pouring spout for attachment to a pre-filled dispensing bottle comprising an inner body adapted for insertion in sealing relation into a bottle neck, said inner body terminating downwardly in a radial face, an inner cylindrical portion extending upwardly from said face, an annular valve seat within said inner cylindrical portion, said inner cylindrical portion defining a passage extending through an opening in said face, and a vent tube extending below said face and defining a passage extending through said face, an outer body having a cylindrical retaining portion adapted to overlie the outer surface of a bottle neck for securing and sealing said inner body within the bottle neck, a neck joined to said retaining portion at its upper edge, said neck extending to form a pouring spout having a downwardly extending cylindrical tube of an external diameter adapted to fit in sealing relationship within said inner body inner cylindrical portion, one or more arms extending beneath said cylindrical tube forming an upper valve seat, at least one vent opening in said neck, and a valve ball adapted to seat on said inner body annular valve seat, whereby assembly of said inner and outer bodies on a bottle neck with said valve ball disposed within said inner body inner cylindrical portion provides a nonrefillable pouring spout in which said valve ball seated on said valve seat prevents fluid entry into the bottle, inversion of the bottle causing said ball valve to move from said valve seat to the upper valve seat, a fiuid passage from the bottle thus being formed through said inner body inner cylindrical portion, around said valve ball, between said one or more arms, and through said outer body pouring spout, said outer body vent opening and inner body vent tube permitting air entry into the bottle allowing smooth fluid dispensing flow.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,999,358 Hoeter Apr. 30, 1935 2,278,925 Greene et a1. Apr. 7, 1942 

